Planning National Parks Trip West - Summer 2014

Thank you.

Yes, I'm going to take that advice and look to move over closer to Zion and I'm going to do something around the Grand Tetons as well.

Dave,

Question regarding the Tetons. Should I consider spending only three nights in Yellowstone and then one night someplace around the Tetons and then another night someplace between the Tetons and Ruby's? Or two nights around the Tetons? I'm a little confused?

It's really up to you how you spend your time, there is no right or wrong answer. As you have secured your nights in Yellowstone you could simply leave Bridge bay early[ish] in the morning and head for the Tetons. If you made it to Jackson same day, which would be around 3 hours of driving, you could spend a few hours in the Tetons and still make it to Bryce next day, albeit a long day on the road. If you wanted to break it down with another night, then I would suggest staying around the Tetons and Flaming Gorge by a slightly slower route. To be honest I think you could cut a night from Grand canyon rather than Yellowstone, but that could have a knock on effect with other bookings. I'm not a fan of KAO type campgrounds but if you wanted to stick to your original plan there is one at Jackson Hole which would allow time in the Tetons and make Bryce achievable the following day.

I've got Page and Kanab taken care of. I'm going to be spending I can either spend 1 or 2 nights at Ruby's or 1 or 2 nights in Kanab. From feedback it sounds like the best best is to spend one night out by Bryce and two nights at Zion. Sound good? My last night will be in Kanab as was suggested.

I would say that spending 2 nights closer to Zion is favourable. Bryce is wonderul, but can actually be enjoyed in less time as the viewpoints are close to the roadside from where you look down into the canyon for the best views. Zion is more about strolling along the Virgin river within the canyon walls. If you arrive to Bryce late afternoon you should be able to stroll the rim around sunset and sunrise points and witness a sunset. Next morning drive down the canyon and visit all the other viewpoints before continuing to Zion in the afternoon.

Tip. When visiting Bryce, go to the far end of the canyon and visit the viewpoints on the way back. This puts all the viewpoints on your side of the road and will save you having to keep crossing the traffic, particularly handy when in an RV.

I can't thank you guys enough, so thank you! Especially you Dave. If I could send you all a bottle scotch as appreciation I would. Given the advice and recommendations I got a ton done and I have picked all the destination points for the overnights and I have one reservation left to make. I am having the AAA maps drawn up tomorrow. This has been a huge help. Thanks for pulling me in from the ledge, I can't tell you how close I was to pulling the plug. I am so excited now and can move into the fine tuning stage and picking possible sites to see and activities, etc..

Route will be:

* Phoenix to Page
* Page to Brigham City
* Brigham City to Yellowstone West
* Yellowstone West to Yellowstone South through Grand Tetons to Evanston
* Evanston to Bryce
* Bryce to Zion
* Zion to North Rim
* North Rim to South Rim
* South Rim to Phoenix

I should have added that I am open to any suggestions on sites to consider taking in along the route as well. Like a good lunch spot between Page and SLC and Evanston and Bryce and anything else you want to throw at me...

The only'reward' we would like is for you to come back and let us know how your trip went and share the highlights. We have a 'Roadtrip reports' forum for just that and these reports help others in their planning.

Just remember everything is going to take a little longer in an RV from the getting around to parking up in your campground, but it's a lifestyle I love. Page to Brigham is your longest day of concentrating on the drive but that shouldn't be much more than 8 hours on the road with basic stops. Travelling in Yellowstone is slow and everything will take twice as long as you expect with slow speed limits and 'Wildlife jams' but every moment is worth it. So get an early start towards the Tetons before the big crowds arrive and allow a couple of hours at least to get to Teton park road by Jackson Lake, as you are bound to want to stop quickly for more sights and photos on the way. From Moose [south end of park] to Evanston is going to take about 4 hours. If you are on the road from Bridge Bay by 8:30am you would be able to enjoy 3 or 4 hours to drive through the park and do a little sight seeing and arrive to Evanston at a reasonable time. Prepare to be amazed !

Make sure you stock up well on supplies on the way to Yellowstone [Brigham ?] as everything in the park is pretty [very] expensive. I would also top your tank right up before you get into West Yellowstone [if you head in that way] as gas will likely get more expensive, Rexburgh or Ashton being possibilities. This is a good time to remind you that on a 30ft class 'C' RV that the back is wider and there is a huge overhang behind the rear wheels. When parking near to pumps or parked vehicles etc, always pull away at a gentle angle to avoid the rear swiping objects on a tight turn. [Imagine the old comedy movies of someone swinging around with a plank of wood on their shoulder and bashing their mate] If there is a steep drop kerb back onto the road you sometimes have to exit at a gentle angle to avoid the back grounding out.

As for the lunch stops, well you will be amazed at the places you stumble across on the road and having your 'meals on wheels' service behind you in the 'home, means you can pull up when you see a nice spot and the time is right.

If you think of anything further, just ask. If not, have a great time and we look forward to hearing about it.

Dave.

I will definitely let everyone know how the trip goes. But before then I'm sure I'll have a few more question but again thank you and everyone for all the advice and recommendations. I began thinking about doing a trip like this 3 years ago and it was primarily through this site and after reading so many of the forum postings that I realized it was possible for someone who has never done something like this or hasn't traveled in an RV to take a trip like this. We're very excited.

Here's the link to our Roadtrip Field Reports Forum. You can do this day by day, while on the road, or after you've returned home. Whichever suits.

Lifey